Systems and methods for menu directed inspection

ABSTRACT

A non-destructive testing (NDT) system can provide a tree model of an inspection on a display of an NDT device and on a web page configured in a web browser on a computing device coupled to the NDT device. Inspection data acquired using the NDT device can be provided in real-time as the inspection data is associated with a node configured in the tree model. The NDT system can generate an inspection tree model based on an inspection template including a template tree model. Defect properties, inspection instructions, and/or image transforms can be applied to nodes of the template tree model such that the generated inspection tree model includes the applied defect properties, inspection instructions, and/or image transforms, which can then be applied to the inspection data acquired at the inspection point location corresponding to each node.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent Ser. No. 14/292,840, filed May 31, 2014, and entitledSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MENU DIRECTED INSPECTION, the entirety of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to non-destructiveinspection. Specifically, the subject matter described below relates tosystems and methods for performing non-destructive testing via a MenuDirected Inspection (MDI).

Certain devices may be used to inspect a variety of systems andfacilities, such as power generation equipment and facilities, oil andgas equipment and facilities, aircraft equipment and facilities,manufacturing equipment and facilities, and the like. The inspectionequipment may include various non-destructive inspection ornon-destructive testing (NDT) devices. For example, video borescopes,portable eddy current inspection devices, portable X-ray inspectiondevices, and the like, may be used to observe or otherwise inspect thesystem and facilities using non-destructive inspection techniques. TheNDT devices and NDT computing systems may include graphical userinterfaces useful in enabling users to create NDT inspections, performinspection functions, and provide inspection data to computing devicescoupled to NDT devices. It would be beneficial to improve the graphicaluser interfaces of the NDT devices and improve the overall efficiency ofthe NDT inspection.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimedinvention are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended tolimit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather these embodimentsare intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of theinvention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of forms thatmay be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In one aspect, a method of performing non-destructive testing (NDT) isprovided. In one embodiment, the method can include providing a treemodel of an inspection of machinery on a display of an NDT device. Thetree model can include a plurality of nodes and each node of theplurality of nodes can correspond to an inspection point of theinspection. The method can also include providing the tree model of theinspection in a web browser configured on a computing devicecommunicatively coupled to the NDT device. The web browser can display aweb page providing the tree model. The method can further includereceiving a user input on the NDT device selecting a node included inthe tree model. The method can also include acquiring inspection data ofthe machinery using the NDT device. The inspection data can be acquiredat the inspection point corresponding to the selected node. The methodcan further include providing, using the NDT device, the inspection datain the web page with the tree model. The inspection data can beautomatically provided in real-time within the web page as theinspection data is associated with the selected node.

In one aspect, a method of creating an inspection tree model of anon-destructive testing (NDT) inspection is provided. In one embodiment,the method can include providing an inspection template associated withan NDT inspection. The inspection template can include a template treemodel can correspond to an inspection of machinery and can include aplurality of nodes. Each node of the plurality of nodes in the templatetree model can correspond to an inspection point of the NDT inspection.The method can also include applying one or more defect properties to atleast on node in the template tree model. Each of the applied defectproperties can be selected from a plurality of defect propertiescharacterizing defects of the machinery. The method can further includeapplying one or more inspection instructions to at least one node in thetemplate tree model. Each of the applied inspection instructions can beselected from a plurality of inspection instructions characterizinginspection tasks to be performed during the NDT inspection of themachinery. The method can also include applying one or more imagetransforms to at least one node in the template tree model. Each of theapplied image transforms can be selected from a plurality of imagetransforms characterizing image processing modifications to be appliedto the image data acquired during the NDT inspection at the inspectionpoint. The method can further include generating an inspection treemodel based on the inspection template and including the defectproperties, inspection instructions, and image transforms applied to atleast one node in the template tree model. The method can also includeproviding the generated inspection tree model in a display of an NDTdevice during the NDT inspection.

Non-transitory computer program products (i.e., physically embodiedcomputer program products) are also described that store instructions,which when executed by one or more data processors of one or morecomputing systems, causes at least one data processor to performoperations herein. Similarly, computer systems are also described thatmay include one or more data processors and memory coupled to the one ormore data processors. The memory may temporarily or permanently storeinstructions that cause at least one processor to perform one or more ofthe operations described herein. In addition, methods can be implementedby one or more data processors either within a single computing systemor distributed among two or more computing systems. Such computingsystems can be connected and can exchange data and/or commands or otherinstructions or the like via one or more connections, including aconnection over a network (e.g., the Internet, a wireless wide areanetwork, a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, orthe like), via a direct connection between one or more of the multiplecomputing systems, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of non-destructive testing (NDT) devicesand systems, in accordance with an embodiment of the present approach;

FIG. 2 is a screenshot of a home screen included in a graphical userinterface (GUI) of an NDT device of FIG. 1, in accordance with anembodiment of the present approach;

FIG. 3 is a screenshot of an inspection details screen included in theGUI of the NDT device of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent approach;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of an inspection point screen included in the GUIof the NDT device of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent approach;

FIG. 5 illustrates various screens embodiments displayed by navigatingthrough an inspection point tree, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present approach;

FIG. 6 is a screenshot of an inspection point screen included in the GUIof the NDT device of FIG. 1, in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present approach;

FIG. 7 is a screenshot of a report settings screen included in the GUIof the NDT device of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent approach;

FIG. 8 is a screenshot of a page layout screen included in the GUI ofthe NDT device of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent approach;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example process of performing non-destructivetesting, in accordance with an embodiment of the present approach;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example web page configured for providinginspection data acquired during an NDT inspection, in accordance with anembodiment of the present approach;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example process of creating a tree model of a NDTinspection, in accordance with an embodiment of the present approach;and

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of an example inspection templateincluding a template tree model, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent approach.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, or industry orgovernment agency mandated inspection requirements such as anairworthiness directive (AD) from the FAA, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentinvention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Present embodiments are generally directed towards systems forperforming non-destructive inspections of industrial equipment, using,for example, a variety of portable non-destructive testing (NDT) devicesdescribed in more detail below. Specifically, the embodiments describedherein relate to a graphical user interface (GUI) providing for amenu-driven inspection (MDI) technique. An MDI structure may model theinspection areas and points as an inspection point tree. An NDT deviceoperator may then navigate through the inspection point tree to acquireimages and videos of the specified inspection areas and points. Byfollowing the inspection point tree, the operator may quickly andefficiently inspect the equipment and obtain improved testing coverageof the equipment. Further, the MDI structure may automatically associatethe acquired images and videos with the corresponding inspection areasand points, which may improve equipment and facilities inspection, forexample, when compared to not using the MDI techniques disclosed herein.The MDI GUI may also allow the operator to flag an image or video if heor she suspects or observes a defect within a particular inspectionpoint or area. The GUI may then present in tandem an icon that indicatesif any images and videos for an inspection point or area are flagged.Additionally, the GUI may include an interactive marker that displaysthe current path traversed through the inspection point tree and may beused to navigate to different nodes of the inspection point tree.

By way of introduction, FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of embodiments ofa variety of portable NDT systems that may include the techniquesdescribed herein. In the depicted embodiment, the portable NDT systemsmay include a video borescope 10, an eddy current inspection device 12,a transportable pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera 14, an ultrasonic flawdetector 16, a portable digital radiography device 18, and an interfacedevice 20. The interface device 20 may be a mobile device (e.g., cellphone, laptop, tablet, etc.) communicatively coupled to theaforementioned NDT systems 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 suitable for providingenhanced visualization (e.g., at a larger screen display), and forremote control and operations of the NDT systems 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18.The NDT systems 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 may be connected to eachother and to local servers (e.g., local area network [LAN] servers),remote servers (e.g., wide area network [WAN] servers), and “cloud”based devices and services. In one embodiment, the interface device 20may be a MENTOR™ hardware device or software “app” executable via amobile device (e.g., cell phone, phone, tablet, etc.) available fromGeneral Electric Company, of Schenectady, N.Y. Likewise, the devices 10,12, 14, 16, and 18 may also be available from General Electric Company,of Schenectady, N.Y. In some embodiments, the devices 10, 12, 14, 16,and 18 can also be available from Waygate Technologies, a Baker HughesCompany of Houston, Tex.

The depicted NDT devices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 include respectiveprocessors 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 and memory 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and44. The NDT devices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 may additionally includea communications system suitable for communicating with other NDTdevices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 and with external systems such as“cloud” based systems, servers, computing devices (e.g., tablets,workstations, laptops, notebooks, etc.) and the like. The memory 34, 36,38, 40, 42, and 44 may include tangible non-transitory storage suitablefor storing computer code or instructions implementing the varioustechniques described herein and executable via the respective processors24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34. The devices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 mayalso include respective displays useful in visualizing the techniquesdescribed herein. In operation, an operator 46 may utilize the NDTsystem 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 to inspect facilities 48, includingfacilities that may have oil and gas equipment 50, and may includelocations such as the interior of pipes or conduits 52, underwater (orunderfluid) locations 54, and difficult to observe locations such aspipes or conduits having curves or bends 56. Other systems 58 may alsobe inspected, such as aircraft systems, power generation systems (e.g.,gas turbines, steam turbines, wind turbines, hydroturbines, combustionengines, generators, electric motors, etc.), machinery (e.g.,compressors, expanders, valves, actuators, etc.) and the like, that mayinclude conduits 60, various surfaces 62 and 64, and may be used to findundesired cracks 66 or to visualize parts 68, among many other uses.Accordingly, it may be possible to enhance the visual observation ofvarious equipment, such as an aircraft system 58 and facilities 48, withx-ray observation modalities, ultrasonic observation modalities, andeddy current observation modalities. For example, the interior and thewalls of pipes 52, 56, and 60 may be inspected for corrosion anderosion. Likewise, obstructions or undesired growth inside of the pipes52, 56, and 60 may be detected by using the devices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18,and 20. Similarly, fissures or cracks disposed inside of certain ferrousor non-ferrous material 62 and 64 may be observed. Additionally, thedisposition and viability of parts 68 inserted inside of components maybe verified. Indeed, using the techniques described herein may improveinspection of the facilities 48 and systems 58.

The NDT devices 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 utilize a menu-driven inspection(MDI) GUI to enable the operator 46 to inspect facilities 48 and systems58. MDI, as described herein, is a technique for NDT inspection thatutilizes graphical “menus” with certain visual components (e.g., icons,textual components, numeric components, and so on) to aid the operator46 in navigating the device (e.g., NDT devices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and20) to different location within and around the facilities 48 andsystems 58 to acquire images and videos. The MDI program on the NDTdevices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 utilize a GUI 70, as shown in FIGS.2-8 and described further below. However, the embodiments and featuresof the embodiments described below may also be applied to other types ofinspection programs used with NDT devices.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the GUI 70 includes a home screen 72. The homescreen 72 may be the first screen the NDT device (e.g., the videoborescope 10) presents upon start-up. Alternatively, the home screen 72may be presented after other screens. The home screen 72 includes a list73 of all of the ongoing inspections assigned to the operator 46. Eachongoing inspection is represented by a tile 74. It should be noted that,in other embodiments of the interface structure 70, other types ofdesign schemes may be used to depict ongoing inspections. In thedepicted embodiment, the list 73 includes four tiles 74.

Each tile 74 may include a label or title 76 used to identify theinspection, the name 78 of a folder containing the data related to theinspection, and a date 80 corresponding to the last date on which theinspection was performed, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, aparticular tile 74 may also include a flag icon 82 suitable for“bookmarking” or otherwise indicating that the corresponding inspectionis the last performed inspection. Further, in some embodiments, thetiles 74 may include a “new” label 84 that signifies that thecorresponding inspection was downloaded to the NDT device during thelast period in which the NDT device connected to an external system usedfor creating, assigning, and overseeing inspections. Alternately oradditionally, the “new” label 84 may signify that the operator 46 hasyet to begin the corresponding inspection. That is, the “new” label 84may signify that the tile 74 corresponds to a template for thecorresponding inspection, and that the operator 46 has yet to begin orcomplete the corresponding inspection.

The home screen 72 may also include several buttons (e.g., virtualbuttons) representing actions that the operator 46 may take with regardsto the inspections, as depicted in FIG. 2. For instance, the operator 46may select any of the tiles 74 and then activate a “resume” button 86 toresume the corresponding inspection. Activating the “resume” button 86may bring the operator 46 to the last saved spot in the inspection or tothe beginning of the inspection. In another example, the operator 46 mayactivate a “resume last” button 88, which will resume the last performedinspection. This selection may bring the operator 46 to the last savedspot in the inspection or to the beginning of the inspections, similarlyto the “resume” button 86.

The operator 46 may also select any of the tiles 74 and then activate a“generate report” button 90 that creates a shell document for a reportthat includes the images associated with the corresponding inspection.The “generate report” button 90 and its associated features aredescribed in more detail below. Further, the operator may select any ofthe tiles 74 and activate a “manage” menu 92 to access options relatedto managing the corresponding inspection.

When the operator 46 selects a new inspection, such as the “Craft”inspection depicted in FIG. 2, he or she is then presented with aninspection details screen 94, which is shown in FIG. 3. The inspectiondetails screen 94 may be used to collect and capture information relatedto the overall inspection. Some of the information may be inputted bythe operator 46 into a text box 96, such as the serial number 98 of theequipment to be inspected. Additional information, such as the locationof the asset being inspected, the identification of the inspector,additional asset characteristics, or the like can also be captured.Additionally, some of the information, such as the current date 100 andtime 102, may be automatically captured and entered into a text box 96.

Once the information has been entered into the inspection details screen94, the operator 46 may then begin the inspection. In one embodiment,the inspection may be modeled by using an inspection point tree datastructure, which, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, may then be displayed as ahierarchical view of the inspection points. Specifically, eachinspection point and area may be represented as a node of the inspectionpoint tree. As depicted in FIGS. 4-6, each node may have children. Forexample, a node corresponding to an inspection area may have severalchildren that corresponding to inspection points located within theinspection area.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the operator 46 first views an inspection pointscreen 104 associated with a root of the inspection point tree 106.Although the inspection point screen 104 is described below in relationto the root of the inspection point tree 106, it should be noted thatthe inspection point screen 104 may be navigated and used to display anynode of the inspection point tree 106.

The inspection point screen 104 may include child nodes 107 of thecurrent node (e.g., the root in the depicted embodiment). For instance,the inspection point screen 104 in FIG. 4 includes five child nodes 107corresponding to the five children of the root of the inspection pointtree 106. Each child node 107 includes a name 108 of the node and theassociated inspection point or area, a counter 110 that represents thenumber of images currently captured for the child node 107, and acounter 112 that represents the number of videos currently captured forthe child node 107. If a particular child node 107 has any children,then the child node 107 may include a right-arrow icon 114 that, whenselected, will cause the screen 104 to redisplay all children nodes ofthe selected node 107 (e.g., grandchildren nodes of the root of the tree106), thus enabling navigation through the tree 106 in a depth-firstmanner. Other tree navigation techniques, including breadth-first,go-to-node, and so on, may also be used. Each child node 107 alsoincludes a color strip icon 116 that indicates whether any of the imagesand videos associated with the child node 107 is flagged; the colorstrip icon 116 is discussed in further detail below.

The inspection point screen 104 may also include an interactive label ormarker 118 that shows the current path traversed through the inspectionpoint tree 106. For example, since FIG. 4 depicts the root of theinspection point tree 106, the interactive marker 118 only includes thetitle of the inspection. As the operator 46 navigates through theinspection point tree 106, the interactive marker 118 expands orcollapses to show the current path. Further, each node displayed in theinteractive marker 118, when selected, will navigate to an inspectionpoint screen 104 for that particular node, such that the operator cannavigate through the inspection point tree using the interactive marker118.

The inspection point screen 104 may further include a “stop” button 120that, when activated, saves and exits the inspection. For example, thelast node navigated through may be saved at a current inspection state.Additionally, the inspection point screen 104 may include an “up” button122 that, when selected, will navigate to an inspection point screen 104for the parent node of the current node. As will be appreciated, the“up” button 122 may be an alternative to using the interactive marker118 to navigate through the inspection point tree. The inspection pointscreen 104 may also include a “reference material” button 124, that whenselected, will prompt a display of reference materials associated withthe current node. The “reference material” button 124 is described infurther detail below. The inspection point screen 104 may also include a“generate report” button 90. The inspection point screen 104 can furtherinclude an inspection progress notification 125. The inspection progressnotification 125 can provide the NDT operator performing the inspectionwith an indication of the inspection progress. In some embodiments, theinspection progress indicator 125 can be provided for display on theinspection point screen 104 in response to comparing the rate ofinspection progress of the current inspection to a predetermined rate ofinspection progress.

It is to be noted that, in some embodiments, the background of theinspection point screen 104 may be the current view of the sensor (e.g.,camera), as shown in FIG. 4. Indeed, the graphical menus of FIG. 4 maybe superimposed onto images or video and used during the inspectionprocess. Using the right-angle icons 114, the interactive marker 118,and the “up” buttons 122, the operator 46 may navigate to all nodes ofthe inspection point tree 106. For example, the operator 46 may navigatethrough a particular level of the inspection point tree 106, as shown inFIG. 5. For example, FIG. 5 depicts a first screen state 115, then asecond screen state 117 arrived at via user selection 119, and then athird screen state 121 arrived at via user selection 123, to arrive atthe inspection point screen 104 depicted in FIG. 6.

As described above, the inspection point screen 104 of FIG. 6 includeschild nodes 107, the interactive marker 118, the “stop” button 120, the“up” button 122, the “reference material” button 124, and the “generatereport” button 90. Further, neither of the two child nodes 107 havechildren, as evidenced by the lack of right-angle icons 114 in FIG. 6.At this point, the operator 46 can acquire images or videos for each ofthe inspection points represented by the child nodes 107 (i.e., NozzleGuide V and Rotor Blade). In particular, the operator 46 selects one ofthe child nodes 107 and then begins to acquire images and videos. TheMDI program associates the acquired images and videos with the selectedchild node 107 as the images and videos are captured, thereby improvingover a manual association process (e.g., non MDI process) performedafter completion of the inspection. Further, as the operator 46 acquiresimages and videos, the counters 110 and 112 update on the displayoperatively coupled to the NDT device. As will be appreciated, thecounters 110 and 112 for the parent node, grandparent nodes, and thelike also update, albeit off-screen.

If the operator 46 suspects or observes a defect (e.g., a crack 66)based on an image or video, he or she can flag the image or video. Asmentioned above, the color strip icon 116 updates as necessary toindicate if an image or video associated with an inspection point nodeis flagged. For example, in FIG. 6, the child node 106 titled “NozzleGuide V” has a red color strip icon 116, which signifies that at leastone image or video associated with the inspection point node is flagged.However, the child node “106” titled “Rotor Blade” has a green colorstrip icon 116, which signifies that none of the associated images andvideos is flagged. In some embodiments, the functionality of the colorstrip icon 116 may be combined with the functionality of the counters110 and 112. For instance, a yellow color strip icon 116 may signifythat no images or videos have been acquired for the selected inspectionpoint node and its children. It should be noted that, similarly to thecounters 110 and 112, flagging images and videos affects the color stripicon 116 not only for the selected child node 106 but for the parentnode, grandparent nodes, and the like.

In addition to flagging images and videos, the operator 46 may also addcomments. Some common comments, such as “conduit needs to be flushed”may be pre-saved options that the operator 46 can select to add to animage or video. Further, in certain embodiments, the operator 46 mayalso record voice annotations during the inspection of a particularchild node 107.

As mentioned above, the inspection point screen 104 depicted in FIG. 6includes the “reference material” button 124. When selected, the“reference material” button 124 prompts a display of reference material,which can include reference manuals relevant to the selected inspectionpoint node. The reference manuals can illustrate a range of states forthe corresponding inspection point (e.g., “excellent condition,”“acceptable,” “needs maintenance,” etc.) that the operator 46 maycompare to acquired images and videos to evaluate the inspection point.The reference material can also include an illustration of theorientation of the image that is desired to be captured in theinspection. In some embodiments, the reference manuals may be shownside-by-side with the MDI program such that the operator 46 may view theMDI program and the reference manuals without navigating between the twoobjects. In other embodiments, the reference material can include asemi-transparent image which may be provided as an overlay atop a liveinspection image to assist in obtaining the desired orientation of theobject being inspected.

The inspection point screen 104 of FIG. 6 also includes the “generatereport” button 90, as stated above. When activated, the “generatereport” button 90 generates a shell document for a report that includesthe information collected via the inspection details screen 94 and allof the images and any accompanying data (e.g., if an image is flagged orhas any comments). In some embodiments, the shell document also includesa link (e.g., hyperlink) to a repository that includes the videos andany accompanying data. Alternately or additionally, the shell documentmay include the actual videos and any accompanying data. Similarly, theshell document may include the recorded voice annotations or a link to arepository containing the recorded voice annotations.

The operator 46 may have some control over the format of the shelldocument. For instance, selecting the “generate report” button 90 mayprompt a report settings screen 126 similar to the one in FIG. 7. Thereport settings screen 126 may include a summary 128 of the imagesincluded in the shell document, the name of the shell document, a layout127 of the shell document, the type of cover page, and the type of endpage. The report settings screen 126 may also include an option for theoperator 46 to preview the shell document. If the operator 46 desires,he or she may change any of the information in the summary 128, such asthe layout of the shell document. For example, activating the changebutton as shown in FIG. 7 may prompt a page layout screen 130, asdepicted in FIG. 8, which lists a variety of formatting or layoutembodiments for the shell document. For example, a single image withtext on the top layout 132, a single image with text on the bottomlayout 134, a double image with text on top layout 136, a double imagewith text on the bottom layout 138, double image with text on a leftside layout 140, a double image with text on a right layout 142, amultiple images with text on a left layout 144, a multiple image withtext on the right layout 146, and so on. Indeed, a variety of layoutsmay be provided, suitable for a number of images with associated text onthe top, bottom, left, right, or a combination thereof. Alternately oradditionally, some of the information in the summary 128 may beimmutable.

Referring back to FIG. 7, once the operator 46 is satisfied with thepreview of the shell document, he or she may generate the shelldocument, which is then saved to the same location as the other filesassociated with the inspection. In some embodiments, the operator 46 maysend the generated report, the inspection file, images, videos, andother associated data to a repository, the inspection system mentionedabove, and other components, devices, and systems.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example process 900 of performing non-destructivetesting, in accordance with embodiments described herein. The process900 can enable NDT devices, shown and described in relation to FIG. 1,to transmit and receive NDT inspection data and inspection progressdata, between themselves. In this way, inspection data can be providedto experts and/or inspector supervisors to assess inspection progress,NDT inspection device usage, and inspection quality. The use interfacesdescribed herein improve the operation of the NDT devices 10, 12, 14,16, 18 and the interface device 20 by continuously providing inspectionprogress data and monitoring in real-time or substantially in real-timevia web-based applications and interfaces. In one embodiment, theinspection data and inspection progress data can be provided to remotecomputing devices coupled to the NDT device used in an inspection viacloud computing environments. Inspection data and inspection progressdata can be continuously provided to an interface device in a live,dynamic manner as an inspection progresses. NDT inspection progress andNDT inspection management can be enhanced using the systems and methodsdescribed in relation to FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, at 910, a tree model of an inspection of machineryis provided on a display of an NDT device. The NDT device, such as NDTdevices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, can display the tree model associated withan NDT inspection to be performed on the machinery at one or moreinspection locations. The inspection locations can correspond to eachnode of the tree model 106 as described in relation to FIG. 4. Themachinery to be inspected can include a power generation system, an oiland gas production system, an aircraft, an automobile, a ship, anindustrial manufacturing facility, and a chemical processing facility.Each node in the tree model 106 can correspond to an inspection locationwhich can be associated with a component of the machinery to beinspected or can be associated with different machinery to be inspected.

At 920, the tree model 106 can be provided in a web browser configuredon a computing device 20 communicatively coupled to one or more of theNDT devices 10, 12, 14, 16, 18. The web browser can provide a web pagedisplaying the tree model to a user located remotely from the locationat which the NDT inspection is occurring. The web browser can beconfigured to dynamically update the web page displaying the tree modelso that inspection data and inspection progress data is automaticallyprovided via the web page as the inspection is performed. In someembodiments, the web page can include a graphical icons configured toconnect the web page to the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18. In someembodiments, the web page can be configured to dynamically update theinspection data and inspection progress data on a pre-determined,user-configurable time schedule, such as every minute, hour, 6-hours,12-hours, 24-hours or the like.

At 930, a user input can be received on the NDT device selecting a nodein the tree model 106. A user can select a node, such as node 107 oftree model 106 shown and described in FIG. 4. The user can select thenode 107 as the user performing the inspection is positioned at theinspection location corresponding to node 107. At 940, the user canacquire inspection data of the machinery using the NDT device. In someembodiments, the inspection data can include an image, a flagged image,a video, a flagged video, or a combination thereof associated with themachinery located at the location corresponding to node 107.Additionally, in some embodiments, additional details associated withthe asset being inspected can be acquired automatically from an externaldevice that can be communicatively coupled to the NDT device. Forexample, the blade number in a given stage being inspected can beacquired from the external device used to rotate the engine during aninspection. At 950, the user can associate the inspection data with theselected node using the NDT device.

At 960, the inspection data can be provided in the web page with thetree model. The inspection data and inspection progress data can betransmitted from the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 to the interfacedevice 20 and can be provided in the web page displayed in the webbrowser provided on the interface device 20. The inspection data and/orthe inspection progress data can be displayed in the web page asinspection locations (or nodes) are visited and/or as inspection data isacquired at the location. In some embodiments, the inspection and/orinspection progress data can be provided in the web page based onapproval of the inspection data by an operator of the interface device20.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram of an example web page 1000 displayedwithin a web browser 1005 configured on interface device 20 of FIG. 1.As shown in FIG. 10, the web page 1000 can include the tree model 106including nodes 107. The web page 1000 also includes inspection progresscontrols 1010 which can be configured to rewind, play, fast-forward,stop, pause, and record the inspection being performed. The web page1000 can also provide an estimated completion time 1015 for theinspection to complete the inspection based on the inspectors inspectionprogress 1020. The current rate of inspection 1025 can be determined anddisplayed in the web page 1000. In some embodiments, the current rate ofinspection can be compared to a target rate of inspection or anobjective rate of inspection 1030. The target rate of inspection 1030can be compared to the current rate of inspection 1025 to determinewhether or not an inspection progress notification is to be provided fordisplay on the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 to inform the userperforming the inspection of the status of the inspection progress withregard to the desired or target rate of inspection 1030. In someembodiments, the web page 1000 can also include an icon 1035 forconnecting the web page 1000 directly to the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16,18 so as to view data immediately as it is acquired at the NDT device.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example process 1100 of creating a tree model 106of an NDT inspection, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentapproach. The tree model 106 can be configured from an inspectiontemplate tree model in which a user can configure nodes 107 associatedwith inspection locations of machinery. The inspection tree model canfurther allow the user to associate properties with each node 107 suchas defect properties, inspection instructions, and image transforms tobe applied to the inspection data collected at each inspection location.In this way, an NDT inspection can be customized to provide the NDTdevice operator with a robust data regarding an appropriate defect,inspection method, and/or inspection image processing.

At 1110, an inspection template associated with an NDT inspection can beprovided on a computing device, such as interface device 20. Theinspection template can include a tree-like structure, such as atemplate tree model. The template tree model can include multiple nodes107 which can each be associated with a different inspection point ofthe NDT inspection.

At 1120, a user can apply one or more defect properties to a node in thetemplate tree model. The defect properties can include defects which maybe identified during the inspection of the machinery. The user can applyone or more defect properties to the node 107 by selecting the defectproperties from a list of defect properties characterizing defects orexpected defects of the machinery. In some embodiments, the defectproperties can include a crack, a burn, a dent, a missing material, ablemish, a scratch, and/or a quality control defect. The defectproperties applied to the node 107 can then be attributed to theacquired inspection data to characterize a defect of the machinery atthe inspection point location.

At 1130, a user can apply one or more inspection instructions to a nodein the template tree model. The inspection instructions can includetasks to be performed during the inspection at the inspection pointlocation associated with the node 107. The user can apply one or moreinspection instructions to the node 107 by selecting the inspectioninstructions from a list of inspection instructions associated withinspecting the machinery. For example, in some embodiments, theinspection instructions can include a measurement task, a deviceconfiguration task, a display configuration task, a reference assessmenttask, an inspection approval task, and an inspection criteria task.

A measurement task inspection instruction can include an instructioninforming the user of the NDT device performing the inspection toacquire a measurement of the machinery, such as a dimension, an image,and/or a scan of the machinery. In some embodiments, the measurementtask can include instructions for the NDT device user to acquire ameasurement of the machinery by reconfiguring the NDT device 10, 12, 14,16, 18. A device configuration task can include instructions to guidethe NDT device user to configure or reconfigure the NDT device so as toproperly acquire inspection data. For example, if an NDT device waspreviously configured to acquire image inspection data in a “stereoview”, the inspection instructions at a particular node 107 can includea device configuration task to inform the user to apply a “single view”at the time of acquiring image inspection data at the inspection pointlocation associated with that particular node 107. In another example, adevice configuration task can include instructions to change or apply atip or attachment to the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 to enableacquisition of higher quality or specific inspection data.

In some embodiments, the inspection instructions can include a displayconfiguration task. A display configuration task can provideinstructions to the NDT device user to configure or adjust a display ofthe acquired inspection data within the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 aswell as for display to any remote computing device coupled to the NDTdevice, such as interface device 20. The display configuration task canprovide instructions such that the inspection data can be displayedproperly on the interface device 20 when viewed by an expert orhighly-skilled inspection resource who may be located remotely from thelocation of the inspection. In some embodiments, the inspectioninstructions can include a reference assessment task. The referenceassessment task can inform the user of the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18to access or view reference data associated with the inspection pointlocation. For example, the reference assessment task can includeinstructions which cause the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 toautomatically display a reference image for the NDT device user tocompare to the acquired inspection data. In this way, the NDT deviceuser can receive reinforcement of the importance of acquiring inspectiondata of a particular format or quality level which can be provided viathe reference assessment task.

In some embodiments, the inspection instructions can include aninspection approval task. The inspection approval task can includeinstructions indicating whether or not acquired inspection data must beprovided to a supervisor or expert resource prior to proceeding furtherwith the inspection. In some embodiments, the inspection instructionscan include an inspection criteria task. The inspection criteria taskcan include criteria that must be met to complete the inspection at theinspection point location. For example, the inspection criteria task caninclude criteria to be performed by the NDT device user. In someembodiments, the inspection criteria tasks can include criteria aboutthe quality, quantity, or format of the acquired inspection data.

At 1140, a user can apply one or more image transforms to a node in thetemplate tree model. The image transforms can include image processingmodifications or tasks to be performed during the inspection at theinspection point location associated with the node 107. The user canapply one or more image transforms to the node 107 by selecting theimage transform from a list of image transforms associated withinspecting the machinery. For example, in some embodiments, the imagetransforms can include a brightness level modification, an invertmodification, an inverse+ modification, a contrast modification, adarkness boost modification, and a zoom modification. An invertmodification can be configured to adjust the display of image data, suchas flipping or inverting the inspection image horizontally so as todisplay a mirror image of the inspection image. The inverse+modification can be configured to invert dark and light portions of theinspection data, such that darker areas can be inverted to be shown aslighter areas, and lighter areas can be inverted to be shown as darkerareas.

At 1150, an inspection tree model can be generated based on theinspection template. The generated inspection tree model can include thedefect properties, inspection instructions, and image transforms asapplied to any of the nodes included in the template tree model. In someembodiments, the inspection tree model can include computer-readable,executable instructions configured to cause the NDT device 10, 12, 14,16, 18 to automatically configure itself for inspection based on the NDTdevice user selecting a node in the inspection tree which includes aninspection instruction and/or an image transform which was applied inthe template tree model. In this way, the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18can be operated to perform inspections more efficiently and withoutrequiring a user to explicitly configure the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16,18 manually. For example, upon selecting a node in the inspection treemodel to which a zoom modification has been applied to the correspondingnode in the tree model, the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 canautomatically configure a zoom or magnification setting on the NDTdevice prior to acquiring the inspection data.

At 1160, the generated inspection tree model can be provided in adisplay of the NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 during the NDT inspection.In some embodiments, the generated inspection tree model can be provideprior to or after conducting an inspection. In some embodiments, thegenerated inspection tree model can be simultaneously provided in adisplay of an interface device 20 that can be communicatively coupled tothe NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18.

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of an example inspection template 1200displayed on a computing device, such as interface device 20 of FIG. 1,which may be coupled to NDT device 10, 12, 14, 16, 18. As shown in FIG.12, an inspection template 1200 can be provided and can include atemplate tree model 1205. The template tree model can include one ormore nodes 1210 indicating inspection point locations at whichinspection data is to be acquired during the NDT inspection. The node1210 can be configured to provide a list of defect properties, e.g.,“DP”; inspection instructions, e.g., “Inst”; and image transforms, e.g.,“Transforms”, as shown by reference 1220 in node 1215.

A user configuring a node within the template tree model 1205, caninteract with a graphical icon or similar graphical representation, suchas a pulldown, a toggle, a checkbox, or a multicomponent selector whichcan be associated with the defect properties, inspection instructions,and image transforms to be applied to nodes 1210 and 1215. For example,as shown in FIG. 12, a user has toggled or selected to identify one ormore image transforms to be applied to node 1215. The user can expand alist of image transforms 1225 and can input a selection of an imagetransform to be applied to node 1220. As shown in FIG. 12, the user hasprovided an input via a “check” to select a “Zoom” image transform to beapplied to node 1220. The inspection tree model generated based on thetemplate tree model shown within the inspection template of FIG. 12,will include a “Zoom” image transform to be applied to the acquiredinspection data of the rotor blade at the inspection location associatedwith node 1215.

Technical effects of the present embodiments include systems forperforming remote visual inspection of industrial equipment and forconfiguring an inspection tree model for an NDT inspection. Certainembodiments may increase the efficiency and efficacy of inspections. Forexample, the present embodiments include an GUI for an MDI process thatguides users through inspection areas and points based on an inspectiontree model and transmits inspection data in real-time to a web browseron a remote computing device. For example, a remote operator orsupervisor may view the inspection progress and provide feedbackregarding the inspection. By dynamically updating inspection data withinthe web browser, a remote operator can be immediately apprised ofinspection data without being collocated at the inspection pointlocation. Further technical effects of the present embodiments includesystems for creating an inspection tree model of a NDT inspection. A GUImay be configured to provide an inspection template including a templatetree model to which a user can apply one or more of a defect property,an inspection instruction, and/or an image transform. The GUI cangenerate an inspection tree model based on the template tree model. Theinspection tree model can include nodes which identify and include theapplied defect properties, inspection instructions, and imagetransforms. In this way, the GUI provides an efficient means ofgenerating an NDT inspection with customized requirements to beperformed at each inspection point location. As a result, inspectionscan be performed more accurately and can generate higher qualityinspection data during initial inspections and reduce the need forre-inspection and post-processing of inspection data to correct errorsin the acquired inspection data. It should be noted that the embodimentsdescribed in the specification may have other technical effects and cansolve other technical problems.

Certain exemplary embodiments have been described to provide an overallunderstanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture,and use of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments have been illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that thesystems, devices, and methods specifically described herein andillustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplaryembodiments and that the scope of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of theembodiments generally have similar features, and thus within aparticular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is notnecessarily fully elaborated upon.

The subject matter described herein can be implemented in analogelectronic circuitry, digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computersoftware, firmware, or hardware, including the structural meansdisclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof, orin combinations of them. The subject matter described herein can beimplemented as one or more computer program products, such as one ormore computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier(e.g., in a machine-readable storage device), or embodied in apropagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of,data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer,or multiple computers). A computer program (also known as a program,software, software application, or code) can be written in any form ofprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, andit can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or asa module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in acomputing environment. A computer program does not necessarilycorrespond to a file. A program can be stored in a portion of a filethat holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to theprogram in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files thatstore one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). Acomputer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or onmultiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification, includingthe method steps of the subject matter described herein, can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions of the subject matter describedherein by operating on input data and generating output. The processesand logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus of the subjectmatter described herein can be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., a GPU (graphical processing unit), an FPGA (fieldprogrammable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integratedcircuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processor of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carrierssuitable for embodying computer program instructions and data includeall forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices); magnetic disks, (e.g., internal hard disks or removabledisks); magneto-optical disks; and optical disks (e.g., CD and DVDdisks). The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter describedherein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., aCRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, fordisplaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device,(e.g., a mouse or a trackball), by which the user can provide input tothe computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback, (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback), and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The techniques described herein can be implemented using one or moremodules. As used herein, the term “module” refers to computing software,firmware, hardware, and/or various combinations thereof. At a minimum,however, modules are not to be interpreted as software that is notimplemented on hardware, firmware, or recorded on a non-transitoryprocessor readable recordable storage medium (i.e., modules are notsoftware per se). Indeed “module” is to be interpreted to always includeat least some physical, non-transitory hardware such as a part of aprocessor or computer. Two different modules can share the same physicalhardware (e.g., two different modules can use the same processor andnetwork interface). The modules described herein can be combined,integrated, separated, and/or duplicated to support variousapplications. Also, a function described herein as being performed at aparticular module can be performed at one or more other modules and/orby one or more other devices instead of or in addition to the functionperformed at the particular module. Further, the modules can beimplemented across multiple devices and/or other components local orremote to one another. Additionally, the modules can be moved from onedevice and added to another device, and/or can be included in bothdevices.

The subject matter described herein can be implemented in a computingsystem that includes a back-end component (e.g., a data server), amiddleware component (e.g., an application server), or a front-endcomponent (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface ora web browser through which a user can interact with an implementationof the subject matter described herein), or any combination of suchback-end, middleware, and front-end components. The components of thesystem can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communicationnetworks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network(“WAN”), e.g., the Internet.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification andclaims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation thatcould permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a termor terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are notto be limited to the precise value specified. In at least someinstances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision ofan instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout thespecification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/orinterchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-rangescontained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantagesof the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly,the present application is not to be limited by what has beenparticularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appendedclaims. All publications and references cited herein are expresslyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

1. A method of performing non-destructive testing (NDT), comprising:providing a tree model of an inspection of machinery on a display of anNDT device, wherein the tree model includes a plurality of nodes andeach node of the plurality of nodes corresponds to an inspection pointof the inspection; providing the tree model of the inspection in a webbrowser configured on a computing device communicatively coupled to theNDT device, the web browser displaying a web page providing the treemodel; receiving a user input on the NDT device selecting a nodeincluded in the tree model; acquiring inspection data of the machineryusing the NDT device, the inspection data acquired at the inspectionpoint corresponding to the selected node; associating, using the NDTdevice, the inspection data with the selected node; and providing, usingthe NDT device, the inspection data in the web page with the tree model,wherein the inspection data is automatically provided in real-timewithin the web page as the inspection data is associated with theselected node.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inspection dataincludes one of an image, a flagged image, a video, a flagged video, ora combination thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the machineryis a component of at least one of a power generation system, an oil andgas production system, an aircraft, an automobile, a ship, an industrialmanufacturing facility, and a chemical processing facility.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the web page includes at least one of anindication of inspection progress, an estimated completion time for theinspection, and one or more inspection progress controls.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the web page is further configured to compare a rateof inspection progress of a current inspection to a predetermined rateof inspection progress; provide an inspection progress notification fordisplay in the NDT device.
 6. A non-destructive testing (NDT) device,comprising: a processor operatively coupled to a camera and to adisplay, wherein the processor is configured to perform operationsincluding providing a tree model of an inspection of machinery via thedisplay, wherein the tree model comprises a plurality of nodes and eachnode of the plurality of nodes corresponds to an inspection point of theinspection; providing the tree model of the inspection in a web browserconfigured on a computing device communicatively coupled to the NDTdevice, the web browser displaying a web page providing the tree model;receiving a user input selecting a node in the tree model; acquiringinspection data of the machinery at the inspection point correspondingto the selected node; associating the inspection data with the selectednode; and providing the inspection data in the web page with the treemodel, wherein the inspection data is automatically updated in real-timewithin the web page as the inspection data is associated with theselected node.
 7. The NDT device of claim 6, wherein the inspection dataincludes one of an image, a flagged image, a video, a flagged video, ora combination thereof.
 8. The NDT device of claim 6, wherein themachinery is a component of at least one of a power generation system,an oil and gas production system, an aircraft, an automobile, a ship, anindustrial manufacturing facility, and a chemical processing facility.9. The NDT device of claim 6, wherein the web page includes at least oneof an indication of inspection progress, an estimated completion timefor the inspection, and one or more inspection progress controls. 10.The NDT device of claim 6, wherein the web page is further configured tocompare a rate of inspection progress of a current inspection to apredetermined rate of inspection progress; provide an inspectionprogress notification for display in the NDT device.
 11. A method ofcreating an inspection tree model of a non-destructive testing (NDT)inspection, comprising: providing an inspection template associated withan NDT inspection, the inspection template including a template treemodel corresponding to an inspection of machinery and including aplurality of nodes, wherein each node of the plurality of nodes in thetemplate tree model corresponds to an inspection point of the NDTinspection; applying one or more defect properties to at least one nodein the template tree model, each of the applied defect propertiesselected from a plurality of defect properties characterizing defects ofthe machinery; applying one or more inspection instructions to at leastone node in the template tree model, each of the applied inspectioninstructions selected from a plurality of inspection instructionscharacterizing tasks to be performed during the NDT inspection of themachinery; applying one or more image transforms to at least one node inthe template tree model, each of the applied image transforms selectedfrom a plurality of image transforms characterizing image processingmodifications to be applied to image data acquired during the NDTinspection at the inspection point; generating an inspection tree modelbased on the inspection template and including the defect properties,inspection instructions, and image transforms applied to at least onenode in the template tree model; and providing the generated inspectiontree model in a display of an NDT device during the NDT inspection. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of defect propertiesincludes one or more of a crack, a burn, a dent, a missing material, ablemish, a scratch, and a quality control defect.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the plurality of inspection instructions characterizeone or more of a measurement task, a device configuration task, adisplay configuration task, a reference assessment task, an inspectionapproval task, and an inspection criteria task.
 14. The method of claim11, wherein the plurality of image transforms characterize one or moreof a brightness level modification, an invert modification, an inverse+modification, a contrast modification, a darkness boost modification,and a zoom modification.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein each nodeof the generated inspection tree model includes computer-readable,executable instructions causing the NDT device to configure itself forinspection based on a user selecting the at least one node in theinspection tree model including the one or more inspection instructionsand/or image transforms applied in the template tree model.
 16. A systemfor creating an inspection tree model of a non-destructive testing (NDT)inspection, comprising: an NDT device including a display; and acomputing device communicatively coupled to the NDT device, thecomputing device including a memory, a display and a processoroperatively coupled to the display and to the memory, wherein theprocessor is configured to perform operations including providing aninspection template associated with an NDT inspection, the inspectiontemplate including an template tree model corresponding to an inspectionof machinery and including a plurality of nodes, wherein each node ofthe plurality of nodes in the template tree model corresponds to aninspection point of the NDT inspection; applying one or more defectproperties to at least one node in the template tree model, each of theapplied defect properties selected from a plurality of defect propertiescharacterizing a defect of the machinery; applying one or moreinspection instructions to at least one node in the template tree model,each of the applied inspection instructions selected from a plurality ofinspection instructions characterizing tasks to be performed during theNDT inspection of the machinery; applying one or more image transformsto at least one node in the template tree model, each of the appliedimage transforms selected from a plurality of image transformscharacterizing image processing modifications to be applied to imagedata acquired during the NDT inspection at the inspection point;generating an inspection tree model based on the inspection template andincluding the defect properties, inspection instructions, and imagetransforms applied to at least one node in the template tree model; andproviding the generated inspection tree model in the display of the NDTdevice.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of defectproperties includes one or more of a crack, a burn, a dent, a missingmaterial, a blemish, a scratch, and a quality control defect.
 18. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the plurality of inspection instructionscharacterize one or more of a measurement task, a device configurationtask, a display configuration task, a reference assessment task, aninspection approval task, and an inspection criteria task.
 19. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the plurality of image transformscharacterize one or more of a brightness level modification, an invertmodification, an inverse+ modification, a contrast modification, adarkness boost modification, and a zoom modification.
 20. The system ofclaim 16, wherein each node of the generated inspection tree modelincludes computer-readable, executable instructions causing the NDTdevice to configured itself for inspection based on a user selecting theat least one node in the inspection tree model including the one or moreinspection instructions and/or image transforms applied in the templatetree model.